Kazakhstan

1. It has the longest border in the world

Spanning more than 7,500 kilometres, Kazakhstan’s border with Russia is the longest continual border in the world. Moreover, it’s the second longest by total length trailing after the Canada-United States border coming in at 8,891 kilometres. to put that into perspective from Paris to Petra is just a smidge over 4,500 kilometres.

2. Kazakhstan is extremely ethnically diverse

When it comes to ethnic diversity, Kazakhstan is nowhere near lacking. In fact, Kazakhstan is home to a whopping 120 ethnic groups and nationalities. Following the Kazakhs, the largest ethnic groups are made up of Russians, Ukrainians and Uzbeks.

3. Kazakhstan is the largest landlocked country in the world

This may not seem like a huge deal, but when you consider the sheer size of Kazakhstan, it is. Kazakhstan is the 9th largest country in the world and the largest country in the world without access to ocean. The main water resources for the nation are sourced from glaciers, lakes and reservoirs.

4. The name “Kazakhstan” is significant

The name Kazakh translates to wanderer or independent. This speaks to the nation’s ancient history as nomads and the deep-rooted spirit of independence in Kazakh culture. When directly translated, Kazakhstan literally means Land of Wanderers.

5. It’s home to one of the largest lakes in the world

Lake Balkhash holds the title for the 15th largest lake in the world and one of the largest in all of Asia. Sprawling across 16,400 square kilometres, it’s sheer size is breathtaking. However, what really makes it unique is its natural phenomenon within the waters. In the west, the lake is fresh water, and in the east, saltwater.